Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty

Tuesday 22 October 2024 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government inherited a situation where the long-term secure operation of the Diego Garcia military base was under threat.
  • We note reports with concern but will not comment on an ongoing police investigation.
  • I reject suggestions about Mauritius being influenced by China or the agreement compromising our interests.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gregory Stafford Con Farnham and Bordon
Defence Foreign Affairs
Context

The question arises from concerns about the security implications of an agreement regarding the British Indian Ocean Territory, particularly the Diego Garcia military base.

Question

What assessment has been made of the potential security implications of the agreement with Mauritius on the sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory?

Answer from Stephen Doughty

The Government inherited a situation where the long-term secure operation of the Diego Garcia military base was under threat. The agreement secures the future of the base and strengthens our role in safeguarding global security. A treaty is subject to finalisation, and Parliament will scrutinise it following its signature.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide a direct assessment of potential security implications but instead provided context on the importance of securing the base.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Nigel Farage Reform Clacton
Community Security Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The question stems from reports that the British high commissioner and others were bugged by the Mauritian government, raising questions about the trustworthiness of Mauritius in relation to a 99-year lease on Diego Garcia.

Question

Since the mistaken opening of negotiations by the last Government on the sovereignty of the Chagos islands, it turns out that the British high commissioner and others appear to have been bugged by the Government of Mauritius. If police investigation proves this true, is the 99-year lease even worth the paper it's written on?

Answer from Stephen Doughty

We note reports with concern but will not comment on an ongoing police investigation. Historical conversations, not current negotiations, are under scrutiny. The treaty meets our national security objectives and respects the Chagossian people's interests.

Not addressed: The specific concerns about the validity of the lease were not addressed.

How: Not Commenting On Ongoing Police Investigation

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Gregory Stafford Con Farnham and Bordon
Foreign Affairs
Context

Concerns are raised about the potential for China to gain military involvement in the Chagos islands, affecting British and allied security.

Question

How can the Minister continue to defend ceding of Chagos islands to Mauritius when China is expanding influence in Indo-Pacific? With no binding agreement against Chinese military involvement, have Government compromised security?

Answer from Stephen Doughty

I reject suggestions about Mauritius being influenced by China or the agreement compromising our interests. Let me be clear: Mauritius is one of two African countries not signed up to the belt and road initiative, and no security interest would be compromised.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific question on Chinese military involvement was not directly answered; instead, a defence against influence claims was given.

How: Rejecting Suggestions About China'S Influence

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email